episode_0025

With a swoosh, the sword cuts through the air.

Chulsoo swung the sword with both hands.

A movement devoid of any excess, solely in a straight line.

He was simply mimicking the sword technique he had seen Kim Yujin use before.

“Indeed, a clean technique.”

Ordinary heroes prioritize agility.

Unless they are top-tier S-class, it’s impossible to take down higher-ranked monsters in one strike.

However, heroes with defensive capabilities against high-ranked monster attacks are few.

Hence, the focus is on avoiding monster attacks as much as possible.

“But this swordsmanship is fundamentally different.”

On the other hand, Yujin’s swordsmanship denies that approach head-on.

He never considers the possibility of failure in his attacks.

It’s a sword that doesn’t think about what comes after.

The pure destructive power emanating from it was its strength.

“Truly, in terms of pure destructive power, he might be on par with the top heroes.”

Having fought directly and witnessed that battle, Chulsoo knew.

His strength had already reached a high level.

Can he withstand that single sword technique?

That is the minimum prerequisite for defeating Yujin.

“He has researched and trained like a man possessed all this time. If I were to start over today, I believe I can win.”

Paradoxically, Yujin became a good stimulus for Chulsoo.

While he was originally diligent, it only amounted to mere effort.

He did not put his life on the line or make bone-deep efforts.

Even if he shed sweat and tears, he did not shed tears of blood.

But now, it’s different.

Solely under the resolve to protect Yeonghee, Chulsoo devoted himself to training with a fervor that consumed his soul every day.

Already a genius in swordsmanship, Chulsoo had made tremendous progress in the past few days.

“You’re such an idiot.”

Such words were thrown at Chulsoo.

Stopping his sword mid-swing, Chulsoo turned his head to see Yeonghee standing there.

Unlike before, with shorter hair, she looked at him as if he was pitiful.

“Do you think you can defeat Yujin like that?”

“I won’t know until I try.”

“Really? I think I do.”

She sat down casually, crossing her legs arrogantly.

Mockery effortlessly emanated from her face.

“I can already picture you losing miserably like last time and crying your heart out.”

A tone she wouldn’t have used before.

Expressions and gestures she would never have shown.

He wondered how she learned to act like this.

“I know exactly what you’re thinking. You plan to win, rescue me from Yujin’s embrace… Is that it?”

“…….”

“Are you stupid? You still don’t understand? Even if you make such a wish, I won’t go to you. I’ll quickly run back to Yujin.”

Chulsoo lowered his head and swung his sword again.

Yeonghee approached with a pained expression.

“Shall I tell you the facts? No matter how hard you try, you won’t stand a chance against Yujin. It’s just a waste of time. You’ll end up in the hospital.”

“As I said, I won’t know until I try.”

“Hah! You’ve really become a fool, haven’t you? Calling delusions of a loser like that.”

Yeonghee lightly flicked her hair behind her ear.

“And wishes? Do you believe those words? Are you an idiot? Brain-dead? Do you think Yujin will keep a promise with a pathetic man like you? You’re just a toy to him.”

“Maybe so.”

Chulsoo remained emotionless.

As if he had completely killed his emotions.

He just wielded his sword.

“Ugh, you’re truly a fool. It’s pathetic that I once fell for someone like you.”

“Then just ignore me.”

“What?”

Chulsoo turned his head.

“If Yujin likes it that much, and I’m so unbearable to look at, then she should just ignore me. Why did she come to me and say such things?”

Yeonghee’s expression turned flustered.

It felt like a stab to the heart.

“W-Well, of course it’s because you’re getting in the way! If my relationship with Yujin-nim gets messed up because of you, will you take responsibility?”

“Responsibility? Are you talking about this kind of thing?”

In an instant, Cheolsu’s arm moved.

He pulled Yeonghee towards him.

Leaning in, he lightly brushed her lips.

“…..Wh-what?”

A momentary almost-kiss.

That alone was enough to confuse the girl’s heart.

Yeonghee’s face flushed red.

“You, you…!”

“If you knew it would be like this, you should have done it sooner.”

Cheolsu chuckled.

It was a smirk he would never have shown in his innocent past.

“Thanks to that bastard Yujin, I’ve realized something. Just being honest won’t keep anything. Sometimes you have to become a son of a bitch.”

Just as Yeonghee had changed, Cheolsu had changed too.

To be precise, he had deteriorated.

“I’ll do whatever it takes. If I can break him and get you back, I’ll do anything.”

His eyes were filled with madness.

Ah, you’ve changed too.

Yeonghee couldn’t help but realize that fact.

“…Even if you’re like that, I won’t go back to you.”

“If you don’t care about my feelings, then I won’t care about yours anymore.”

“Don’t fight, you fool! Do you think I’ll come back to you because of this?! No! I absolutely won’t! So just give up! Just give up and live!”

In the end, Yeonghee was the one who couldn’t control her emotions. She yelled as if throwing a tantrum.

But Cheolsu, as if indifferent, silently swung his sword again.

His gaze never returned to Yeonghee.

Watching him like that, Yeonghee choked back tears and disappeared.

Unlike before, Cheolsu, wielding his sword with a cold expression, seemed somehow difficult to look at.

*****

“I will… undergo training under Hero Kim Taejin.”

Yujin, after much contemplation, made her decision.

Her homeroom teacher and the school nurse gave contrasting expressions.

Especially the school nurse looked betrayed.

‘Wait, what am I supposed to do then?’

For Yujin, it was an unavoidable choice.

Two women fighting over her.

She had thought it was quite enviable, but experiencing it firsthand was not so.

It was rather awkward.

Feeling guilty without having committed any wrongdoing.

‘But here, it’s right to side with the homeroom teacher.’

After all, the one who first made the suggestion was the homeroom teacher.

If she chose the school nurse, wouldn’t she end up being snatched away in the middle?

Moreover, she liked the fact that the recommended opponent by the homeroom teacher was a hero.

The terrifying individuals of Heukcheon versus a currently respected hero.

There’s no need to mention which side is more normal.

‘And it’s only for a week!’

Choosing Heukcheon might mean training even when she goes home.

And who knows when that would end.

Home was the only place where Yujin could relax.

She didn’t want that taken away.

‘Still, seeing her so disappointed makes me feel a bit sorry.’

If the homeroom teacher had a puppy-like demeanor, the school nurse was more like a fox.

Moreover, she usually gave off a pretty cold and haughty impression.

Seeing her looking so downcast like that.

Even Yujin’s heart softened.

“Don’t be too disappointed. You can receive Heukcheon’s training anytime.”

Although she said that, she had no intention of learning.

Of course, since she didn’t say she would learn, it’s safe, right?

Using a strategy uncharacteristic of Yujin, the school nurse smiled broadly as if she had realized something.

“Ah, I see! I’m sorry. I didn’t understand your deep intentions.”

No, there are no deep intentions.

I just don’t feel like training.

“…Since you seem to have understood, let’s just keep quiet.”

From experience, speaking tends to make situations worse.

Remaining silent, the school nurse bowed slightly.

“I apologize for not understanding your deep intentions, sir. In that case, I’ll take my leave.”

Even as she spoke, the nurse didn’t forget to glance at the homeroom teacher.

The homeroom teacher responded with a nod.

With that, the unusual commotion in the office subsided.

Yujin looked back at the homeroom teacher.

“So, who is this Kim Taejin hero?”

“He’s incredibly remarkable! The greatest hero in Korea! Unmatched in martial arts!”

“A person with bulging muscles, right?”

“Exactly! Already in his 60s and still active? You’d be amazed if you saw him in action! That’s how extraordinary he is!”

Just hearing about it made Yujin uninterested.

It seemed like he would be asked to do typical waterfall fist drills without a care.

I hate P.E. teachers.

Especially the ones who say, “Pair up now!”

“Should I go find him then?”

“Yes! Since I’ve already mentioned it. If you go to the address, he’ll teach you.”

Looking at the address, Yujin realized he didn’t know the area well.

Well, asking Secretary Park to take him there should work somehow.

Regardless, since he agreed to do it, he had to go.

“How strong is he?”

Unable to ask if he was intimidating, Yujin replied cautiously.

But the homeroom teacher chuckled and said, “Much stronger than you think!”

Damn, what kind of evaluation is that? Terrifying.

It started to feel more and more daunting.

“Alright, understood.”

Yujin replied and left the office.

It’s just one week.

Just endure for a week.

Think of it as going to a Marine camp for a bit. Damn kid!

“Come to think of it, I agreed to spar with Cheolsu next. Will that affect… anything?”

Yujin knew his own skills better than anyone else.

How much stronger could he get in a week of training?

Moreover, he had almost no experience in combat.

All he had was his strength.

Even if he was called a great hero, surpassing himself wouldn’t be easy.

Perhaps his next match with Cheolsu would end in his defeat.

“At any rate, let’s pass the time reasonably.”

With that thought, Yujin changed his stride.